Southern California -- this just in

Several detained in connection with CHP officer's death in Redlands [Updated]

June 11, 2010 | 8:42
am

Redlands police confirmed Friday they have several people in custody in connection with the death of a California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer killed as he was attempting to join a high-speed pursuit on city streets.

The pursuit, which began shortly before 7 a.m., reached speeds of 100 mph. The fatal collision occurred near the 10 and 210 freeways at San Bernardino Avenue and Alabama Street in Redlands.

The officer was declared dead at the scene and his body was shrouded in an American flag underneath a red tarp at the intersection.

"There were at least two [traffic collisions] during the pursuit," said Redlands police spokesman Carl Baker. "One of [the traffic collisions] involved the CHP motor officer."

[Updated at 9:58 a.m.: A previous version of this post said the officer was killed during the high-speed pursuit, but he was actually on his way to join the high-speed pursuit of a motorist committing multiple traffic violations when he was hit by a vehicle on city streets, officials said.

CHP Officer Daniel Hesser said he believes the officer was using lights and sirens at the time of collision.]

The accident comes two days after another CHP officer was critically injured during a traffic stop on the 405 Freeway on the Westside.

Authorities are investigating whether the L.A. accident was caused by a motorist who was driving along the right shoulder where the officer was conducting a traffic stop, pinning the officer against a Honda SUV that had been pulled over.

Investigators are still trying to determine why the motorist, driving an Infiniti, was using the shoulder.

-- Richard Winton

Photo: A tarp and American flag cover the body of a CHP officer at the site of his fatal collision in Redlands. Credit: KTLA.com